November 2023 Newsletter

School Hours:

School in-session: 8:00am - 3:00pm

AM Carpool: 7:30am - 8:00am

PM Carpool: 3:00pm - 3:30pm

Office Hours: 7:30am - 4:00pm

No early check-out after 2:00pm

ARRIVAL

Students arriving after 8:15 am will need to be checked-in at the school office. Please park your vehicle and escort your child into the school to complete this process.

DISMISSAL

To ensure the safety of our students and staff, there will be a no-entry window during our afternoon carpool, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm.

Early Checkouts will not be allowed after 2:00 pm.

We must see an official tag issued by New Life Academy of Excellence. Otherwise, we will need to verify your identification before a student can be released to your car. For our students' safety, we will not release students through verbal car rider number identification, or through pictures of the tag. Thank you for your understanding!

AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

Please arrive on-time to pick up your child after their activities have ended for the day. Extensive late pick-ups will result in your child being removed from the club.

*NLAE will follow GCPS emergency closure/cancellations. Families will be alerted if any clubs or activities are canceled for the day.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

In case of inclement weather, announcements will be made through the following methods:

• phone
• email
• text
• local news

New Life Academy of Excellence will follow Gwinnett County Public Schools in school closures and delays.

ILLNESS

In the event that your child is sick, please do not send them to school. Your child must be free from fever for 24 hours before they may return.

If your student needs to take medication at school, the parent/guardian will need to transport the medication to the school office, along with a clinic form to be kept on file.

***Download the "Reasons to keep your child home" handout from GCPS below***

• The responsibility of school attendance is that of both parents/families and students. School attendance is important as it underscores the significance of learning and obtaining an education in our ever-evolving society. Regular school attendance also correlates strongly with improved grades and it helps students develop good work habits that will carry over in life. To aid students in being academically successful, attendance is required for attainment of the Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) standards. The Superintendent has designated the minimum levels of attendance in procedure consistent with state standards.

State Board of Education Rule 160-5-1-.10 defines the following as excused absences:

• Personal illness or attendance in school endangers a student’s health or the health of others. (i) Local boards of education may request students to present appropriate medical documentation to school for the purpose of validating that the absence is an excused absence
• A serious illness or death in the student’s immediate family necessitating absence from school. (i) In the event of a serious illness in a student's immediate family, local boards of education may request students to present appropriate medical documentation regarding the family member upon return to school for the purpose of validating that the absence is an excused absence.
• A court order or an order by a government agency, including pre-induction physical examinations for service in the armed forces, mandating absence from school.
• Observing religious holidays, necessitating absence from school.
• Conditions rendering attendance impossible or hazardous to student health or safety. (For Gwinnett County Public Schools, the closure of schools for hazardous conditions may only be made by the Superintendent for the purposes of excused absences.)
• A period not to exceed one day is allowed at the discretion of the local unit of administration for registering to vote or voting in a public election.
• Local boards of education shall count students present when they are serving as pages for the Georgia General Assembly.
• Public school students visiting with a parent or legal guardian prior to or during leave from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the National Guard are allowed five excused absences per school year.
• Students who are in a foster home or otherwise in the foster care system under the Division of Family and Children Services of the Department of Human Services will be counted present for any day, portion of a day, or days missed from school when attending court proceedings related to that student’s foster care.
• A student who participates in the Student Teen Election Participant (STEP) program will be counted as present and given full credit for the school day during which he or she served in the STEP program.
• A student who participates in an activity or program sponsored by 4-H.

The New Life Academy of Excellence School Nutrition Program invites all families to submit a Free/Reduced Lunch Application every year, anytime during the year.

If your situation has changed during the school year, you may still submit another application.

Don't wait, apply now online!

It's never too late to fill out an application!

The online application is a quick and easy way to complete this process:

Free/Reduced Lunch Application Online

**Students will be allowed up to two (2) meal charges before an alternative meal is served.

Please check MyPaymentsPlus to confirm that your student's account has been replenished for the new school year to avoid any charges on your account.

Lunch Prices:

Full Pay: $3.50

Reduced: $0.40

Dietary Restrictions

Students with a dietary restriction will need a form on file with the School Nutrition Department. Vegetarian meals are available daily through our new lunch service company. However, a document must be filed in order to receive these meals.

Please download the Dietary Restrictions form and instructions below.

Forms may be turned in to the front office

Our first Spirit Wear Day is December 14, 2023!

Spirit Wear shirts may be worn with black or blue jean pants/shorts.

Purchase online:

ORDER YOUR SPIRIT WEAR ONLINE

The NLAE Student Council will be hosting a Food Drive from October 31st through November 13th.
Students may bring non-perishable items to their class during this time.

Examples of donation needs:

Powdered milk.

Bottled water.

Canned soups.

Canned vegetables.

Canned fruit.

Canned tuna.

Canned tomatoes.

Dried beans

Oats

Dried pasta

Noodles

Thank you for helping to support those in need!

Friday, November 3rd is our second scheduled Digital Learning Day. Students should prepare to attend classes virtually and complete assignments online, asynchronously. Please contact your teacher for more information.

The Georgia Student Health Survey (GSHS) is an anonymous, statewide survey instrument created by the Georgia Department of Education in collaboration with other state partners. The GSHS is administered online each year to students in grades 3-12. Middle and high school students (grades 6-12) participate in the standard survey and elementary students (grades 3-5) participate in an abbreviated survey. Survey results assist in the identification of safety, climate, and health issues that impact student achievement and help guide school prevention and intervention strategies.

[Georgia Department of Education]

New Life Academy of Excellence will administer this survey on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

What is this assessment?

Revised in 2022, the Georgia Student Health Survey is an anonymous and statewide survey instrument that covers various topics such as school climate and safety, peer and adult social support, bullying, mental health, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation.

Why is my child taking this assessment?

Information collected from this survey helps our district and schools identify and prioritize student needs, secure and allocate appropriate resources and support, and respond quickly to information provided by our students.

[Gwinnett County Public Schools]

Where can I find more information about this assessment?

Link to Grades 3 - 5 Survey

Link to Grades 6 - 12 Survey

How do I opt-out of this survey?

Opt-out by informing the school in writing by November 10, 2023.

Parent/Caregiver must request in writing that their child/children be excluded (opt-out) from taking the survey.

The annual fall fundraiser has kicked off, and will run through November 17, 2023.

Packets for the fundraiser have been sent home with students.

The SWCC will have incentives for top sellers!

Questions about the fundraiser program? Email SWCC at swcc@newlifeacademyga.com

The following days will be set aside for school-wide United Way fundraising:

The cost to participate per event is: $2.00 for students

November 10, 2023 - Favorite Hat Day

November 17, 2023 - Team Shirt Day

Re-enrollment for school year 2024-2025 begins on November 15th and ends on December 15th.
This is for CURRENT students of NLAE only.

Important information about re-enrollment:

• Current families of NLAE will receive instructions on re-enrollment on November 15th.
• Siblings who are not currently enrolled at NLAE are NOT part of re-enrollment.

Questions? Call us at the school: 678-720-9870 or email us at eaglereview@newlifeacademyga.com

Have a fun and safe break!

Yearbooks are now on sale!

To purchase:

Head to the Lifetouch Yearbook Purchase WEBSITE

Enter Yearbook Code: 14806924 (or search for our school)

Deadline to purchase: March 31, 2024

We will have a very limited number of extra books on hand after all pre-ordered yearbooks have been delivered. To guarantee a yearbook purchase, please pre-order a copy.

As New Life Academy of Excellence, in conjunction with Gwinnett County Public Schools, moves from School Messenger to the new Parent Square platform, there may be some questions or concerns.

Here are a few tips to help you navigate Parent Square:

• The Parent Square app is the most convenient way to receive all communication!
• Did you know? If you have multiple children in multiple GCPS schools, you can have all communication in one place.
• Be sure to check your parent portal for the most updated contact information. Parent Square will automatically generate your email and phone number from the GCPS Parent Portal.
• Each parent can have their own account - no more sharing and forwarding!
• Direct message your teacher with ease! The messaging system works like a chat. See your chat thread easily through the app.
• You get to choose how you are notified, and when. Choose one or all: app instant notification, email, text, phone call.

If you still need help or have additional questions, email eaglereview@newlifeacademyga.com

This month, the staff spotlight shines on

Ms. Wai Siak, Kindergarten teacher!

Thank you for all you do for NLAE!

NOVEMBER

3 ... Digital Learning Day #2 (Asynchronous)

10 ... United Way donation day: Hat Day

13 - 17 ... National Education Week

15 ... Re-enrollment Period Begins

16 ... PBIS Day

16 ... Lifetouch Fall picture re-take

17 ... United Way campaign ends: Favorite Team Shirt Day

20 - 25 ... Thanksgiving Break

27 ... Holiday Shop Opens

DECEMBER

4 ... Open enrollment period begins

7 ... SWCC Parent Community Virtual Meeting

11 ... Founder's Day

14 ... PBIS Schoolwide

14 ... Spirit Wear Day

14 ... Talent Show

15 ... Re-enrollment Period Ends

15 ... End of Semester 1

18 - 29 ... Winter Break

3 ... Digital Learning Day #2 (Asynchronous)

Download a copy of the NLAE School Calendar below: